4/8/11 – see updated Retiree pay and commissary information
We are hours away from a possible government shutdown which has created worry and stress for military families. Fiscal Year 2011 started on October 1, 2010, but Congress has yet to approve the needed funding bills to keep most of the government, including the Department of Defense running. Temporary spending bills—Continuing Resolutions—have provided short-term funding since October, but the latest expires this Friday, April 8. Some in Congress are trying to ensure service members get paid even if an agreement is not reached on a temporary measure or on the larger Omnibus Appropriations Act needed to fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year. Military service members and their families are concerned about whether they will get paid on time and also whether essential services will be available.
The number one question we have heard from families is – will my service member be paid on the 15? Service members are exempt from furloughs, meaning they still have to work. Their work will be paid for, the question is when? Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said on Wednesday:
- if the government shuts down on April 8 and goes for a week, service members would get half of a check on April 15 (pay from the April 1 – 8)
- if the shutdown runs past April 15, service members would receive pay after the budget or a Continuing Resolution is passed.
Where to go for Financial Help
Do not turn to payday lenders – your military community has the resources to provide assistance. If your family experiences a hardship due to a reduced paycheck, we urge you to seek assistance from a military aid organization or military bank or military credit union. Aid organizations and military banks and credit unions have short term loans available to help in this situation.Aid organizations will remain open and are ready and willing to help service members and their families.
If you are not located to near an aid organization, you may seek financial assistance from the Red Cross or call 866-563-1376. Each aid organization has an agreement with the Red Cross to provide the same type of financial assistance to military families.
Our Association has contacted a sampling of military banks and credit unions. In the event of a government shutdown, some military banks and credit unions may waive fees associated with the possible shutdown. Others have stated they will consider permitting families to skip a loan or credit card payment. We urge military families to contact their bank to review their individual situation and the guidance established by their financial entity.
Military families who use automatic payments are encouraged to contact their bank and make alternative arrangements. For example, families may transfer money from a savings account to a checking account to cover the automatic payment.
What services will remain open during a potential shutdown?
The Department of Defense and Services are currently evaluating their essential personnel and support services. Service members are expected to report to work. However, Reserve component personnel should refer to their chain of command for specific information.Open
- Dining facilities, child care centers and other non-appropriated funds activities that do not operate on tax payer funds
- Department of Defense Education Activity schools (DoDEA)
- Military Exchanges
- Military Treatment Facilities will be open for emergency care. The TRICARE Management Activities Office will release a statement on Friday.
- Commissaries
- Nonessential services
Congress is working to provide funding for commissaries overseas to remain open during the shutdown. Overseas families are encouraged to contact their local commissary.
Even those services that will remain open may operate with reduced personnel. We encourage families to call ahead to determine if the service is open.
We will continue to update this page as information becomes available.
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